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Cotto: A Man on a Mission

By Jason Lee: On November 14, 2009, Miguel Cotto will be entering the ring against the pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in for what most people are calling fight of the year. I’ve read so many articles and a lot of people are saying that Cotto has no chance, that he is shot, he’s damaged goods. I feel this is not the case. Cotto has been training for nearly a month and he is taking this serious, very serious.

Cotto knows that this is his chance to right the wrongs and change everyone’s opinion. Cotto in my honest opinion will come into the ring a pre Margarito of himself and its going to be hell for the Pacquiao. Before the pacnuts go crazy, I’m not putting Pacquiao down or saying anything negative about him.

Pacquiao is a good fighter and has some great wins over some very good opposition, for example, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez (even though, in my opinion, I thought Marquez was robbed), Oscar de la hoya, ( regardless what people say) and Ricky Hatton.

Cotto isn’t any of those fighters. He is bigger, stronger and has good boxing skills. A lot of writers, experts and boxing fans are judging Cotto by his last three of fights. Let’s get this straight: Cotto looked great against Margarito in the first six rounds. So when I hear people saying that Cotto looked bad in his last three fights, I just laugh because it’s funny. But I do agree Cotto didn’t look so good in the Joshua Clottey fight, but in the first couple of rounds, Cotto looked sharp. However, I think that huge gash above Cotto’s left eye kind of messed him up mentally, but again he showed us guts and squeaked by with a win.

I believe that old Cotto will show up on November 14 and it spells trouble for Manny. Cotto will neutralize Pacquiao’s speed and deliver some damage. I don’t think Pacquiao is going to be able to with stand Cotto’s punches and I’m sorry to say this but the outcome doesn’t look too good for Pacquiao. Freddie Roach retracted his prediction about a knockout and now seems a bit nervous now. He realizes now that Cotto isn’t damaged and that he is focused and ready to get in the ring and win.

There is still hope Pacquiao can win by decision if he decides to box all night, but that’s still a very slim chance because Cotto is a good counter puncher. Look at the Mosley fight. Cotto neutralized Mosley’s speed and Miguel was pretty fast in that fight. But again, we can only wait and see. If Pacquiao wins, and I mean without any second guesses, then there can be no excuses by anyone, Cotto will be the better man and he will have deserved it.

My prediction is that Cotto is going in as an underdog, but I believe he will shock everyone. Cotto will come in use his jab and neutralize Pacquiao’s speed and deliver some heavy punches to the head and body. Remember, Pacquiao likes to jump in and jump out, but he will be walking into some shots. I think Pacquiao will stun Cotto a little bit and win some rounds, but Cotto’s counter punching body assault and his ability to cut off the ring will be too much for Pacquiao.

I believe that Pacquiao will fall in the later rounds. This is going to be a great fight between two proud warriors, backed by two great islands and their people. Boxing fans will enjoy this fight and give both men the respect and admiration that they deserve for keeping the sport of boxing alive.